FEAST ST MARY MOTHER OF JESUS YEAR C
Introduction
From its beginnings the Church has honoured Mary as the mother of the Lord, the God-bearer. We
celebrate her festival today, remembering her humility, her acceptance of God’s will and her unique place
in the story of our salvation.
Sentence
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, so that we might receive
adoption as God’s children
Galatians 4.4-5
Collect
Loving God, who chose the blessed virgin Mary to be the mother of your incarnate Son:
grant that we, who are redeemed by his blood, may share with her in the glory of your
eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
or
Heavenly Father, who chose the virgin Mary, by your grace, to be the mother of our Lord
and Saviour: fill us with your grace, that in all things we may accept your holy will and
with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Reading Introductions
Isaiah 7:10-15. When in 734 BC the northern kingdom, Israel, tried to force Judah to join an alliance against
Assyria, King Ahaz of Judah became terrified. Isaiah promises Ahaz a sign from God.
Isaiah 61:10-62:3. In the euphoria over the end of the exile to Babylon in 537 BC, an anonymous prophet
added to the 8th century book of Isaiah expressions of delight at God’s goodness.
Galatians 4:4-7. Paul, faced with some teachers telling the church in Galatia that obedience to the Law of
Moses is still required, writes an impassioned defence of the liberty that is ours in Christ.
Luke 1:39-55. The first chapter of Luke’s Gospel includes Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Mary
speaks of her child and what God is doing through him, using words reminiscent of Hannah’s words
about her child, Samuel.
Luke 2:1-7. Augustus brought peace to the Roman world. Luke affirms that a greater than Augustus is here.
By the end of Luke’s second volume the effect of this birth will have reached Rome.
Feast St Mary Mother of Jesus- Year C
Alleluia, Alleluia
Blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled
Alleluia
Post Communion Prayer:
Almighty God, your word proclaims our salvation; your table gives us life. Grant us the humble
obedience we see in Mary, that we too may respond as willing servants. We ask this in the name
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
or
O Lord, your handmaid bore the Word made flesh for our redemption. Help us by this sacrament
to make known your love in all the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Blessing
May the Holy Spirit, by whose overshadowing Mary became the God-bearer, give you grace to carry the
good news of Christ; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among
you and remain with you always.
Copyright:
Introduction, St Peter’s Cathedral, Hamilton
Collect, A Prayer Book for Australia, 1995
Reading Introductions, Ken Booth
Alleluia Verse, St Peter’s Cathedral, Hamilton
Post Communion Sentences, Enriching the Christian Year, Michael Perham 1993.
Feast St Mary Mother of Jesus- Year C